Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Onion Valley to Whitney Portal June 28-Whenever Co

I was wondering if anyone has been over in this direction this year. Last year I went all over the John Muir Wilderness in June without crampons just fine in the snow, but I know there is a lot more this year. Think it'll be ok? I'm extremely experienced, young, etc...all I'm really curious about is if conditions will be "passable". Creek info would be nice too (I know they are HUGE). Starting date would be around the 28th, and I'm also considering Shepherd's Pass and just hanging out around lake South America area as well depending on conditions of Forrester and Kearsarge. Predictions? Thanks in advance!

One shameless bump as the date comes closer. I am mostly concerned with the state of Forrester Pass (or what it will be in a week). Anyone been up there lately?

LMK what you find out. This will probably be my next big dayhike............................DUG

Check out this entry from the website used by some PCT thru-hikers:

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=316215

It dates back to June 16, but may be helpful...Let me know if the link doesn't work, and good luck!

DUG, definitely a great dayhike when the snow is gone...did it last year as well as the trip from Horseshoe Meadow to the Portal in a day. This trip, however, would be much slower paced, as I will be with friends who don't like that kind of mileage. It's ok, I like to stop once in a while and smell the roses...I mean snow :-)

I've been looking at it for a couple years now. Midnight start - 24 hours. It would be tough though........................DUG

Eat a good dinner, take a couple pick-me-ups, and strap on those trail runners. I really want to do the High Sierra Trail in 24 hours next...definitely not in that kind of shape right now...maybe in August?

I've done a couple other long day hikes. Couple favorites are Onion Valley to Kings Canyon and back and Foresteer Pass from Roads End and back.

I try to eat a Moose Burger or at least a couple double doubles before starting and I don't carry much food. You won't starve in 24 hours. I've never used trail runners, I like my light weight boots.....................................DUG